You may not realize it, but most of your apps include third-party tracking services that monitor your activity in other apps and websites to serve you highly targeted ads. But now you can stop the creepy behavior on an iPhone and Android phone.
While Apple had already implemented app tracking transparency since iOS 14.5, Google has yet to implement the privacy sandbox it announced earlier this year, which will include similar protections against application monitoring.
In the meantime, there are several third-party apps, including Rethink, NextDNS, and Blokada, that can block apps from tracking your activity in other companies’ apps or sites.
The final option comes from DuckDuckGo, which has launched a beta version of its free app tracking protection feature. Like other apps, the browser uses Android’s VPN connection protocols to monitor network activity. When an app attempts to send data to a third-party service, the feature detects the intent and blocks the transmission.
Third-party tracking companies use your information to create profiles that advertisers use to display targeted advertisements. Additionally, “tracking networks may sell your data to other companies such as data brokers, advertisers, and governments, resulting in greater damages such as ideological manipulation, discrimination, price manipulation personal, polarization, etc.”, according to DuckDuckGo. So you can understand why you want to prevent trackers from getting your data.
Step 1: Install or update DuckDuckGo
Install DuckDuckGo from the Google Play Store if you don’t already have it. Or update it if it’s already on your Android device – you’ll need version 5.143.1 or later.
When you first open the browser, you will be asked if you want to make it your default browser. This is not necessary to take advantage of the apps font feature. If you’re using Android 13, you’ll also have the option to grant or deny notification permissions. There is a benefit to allowing notifications which we will discuss later.
Step 2: Open Settings
With the DuckDuckGo browser open, open the overflow menu (the three vertical dots), select “Settings”, then scroll down and tap on “App Tracking Protection”.
Step 3: Enable app tracking
The first time, you will get two explanatory pages explaining why you should take advantage of this feature and how it works. Press the “Continue” button at the bottom of the first two pages to continue.
On the third page, DuckDuckGo points out that App Tracking Protection is not a VPN (virtual private network). Instead, it uses a local VPN connection, so your data is never routed through external servers like a regular VPN would.
A traditional VPN encrypts and reroutes all your traffic securely through its servers, which slows things down considerably. DuckDuckGo’s VPN is local to your network and works more like a filter that finds and blocks all tracking requests found in its block list as traffic passes through. Unfortunately, you can’t use a standard VPN for traffic once it passes through DuckDuckGo’s app tracking protection.
Tap “Enable app tracking protection” to continue.
A connection request dialog will appear to configure the VPN connection. Again, DuckDuckGo uses a local VPN to identify when apps send data to third-party trackers and block attempts. Press “OK” to confirm.
Application Tracking Protection is now enabled; press “I got it!” Continue.
Step 4: Monitor application traffic
With App Tracking Protection enabled, you’ll now have a dashboard displaying app activity results (and confetti to celebrate the first time). There is also a toggle to disable the feature.
According to a DuckDuckGo blog post, some apps are excluded from tracker protection due to their functionality, including browsers and apps that launch in-app browsers. However, the app’s waitlist has been cut in half as the developer continues to work on beta testing.
If notifications are enabled for DuckDuckGo, you will be able to access this dashboard with one click from your lock screen or notification screen.
If apps aren’t working properly, you can turn off tracking and report them. Look for the “Help us improve” link at the top of the dashboard or the “Having trouble with an app?” link. » action in the notification pane.
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